Summary of Species at Risk Act Management Scenarios: Upper ... · Summary of Species at Risk Act Management Scenarios: Upper Fraser River White Sturgeon Designatable Unit Management

1

Summary of Species at Risk Act Management Scenarios:

Upper Fraser River White Sturgeon Designatable Unit

Management scenarios describe alternative management approaches to mitigate human threats to a

species in the event that it is, or is not, listed under the Species at Risk Act (SARA). The management

scenarios for the Upper Fraser River White Sturgeon designatable unit (DU) were developed in

consultation with Fisheries and Oceans Canada staff from Resource Management, Conservation and

Protection, and Fisheries Protection Program as well as staff from the Province of British Columbia. First

Nation and stakeholder input were considered in the development of the management scenarios.

The scenarios are not a binding commitment, rather, they represent the most reasonable and feasible

approaches which may be undertaken to recover the species, given the best information currently

available. Management of the species will rely on an adaptive and iterative process that systematically

incorporates the lessons learned from scientific or technical information, policies and practices, and other

new information as it arises. As such, measures identified here are subject to change as more scientific or

technical information becomes available.

Management Scenario 0: Baseline

This scenario describes measures that were in place during the 2017 fishing season when development of

these management scenarios commenced. The Baseline Scenario sets the standard from which the

changes described in the other scenarios will be measured.

Management Scenario 1: Do Not List

This scenario outlines mitigation measures to be implemented under other legislation (e.g., Fisheries Act)

if the Upper Fraser River White Sturgeon is declined for listing under Schedule 1 of SARA.

Note: under a Do Not List Scenario, the Nechako River nationally significant population (NSP) and the

Upper Fraser River NSP would be delisted from Schedule 1 of SARA. SARA prohibitions would no

longer apply to these populations.

Management Scenario 2: List

This scenario outlines measures in addition to the baseline scenario that would be implemented if the

species is listed as Endangered under SARA with general prohibitions in place with limited scope to issue

Section 73 permits and Section 83 exemptions for indirect harm. Such proposed activities are detailed

here.

Note that measures are generally interpreted to be incremental, as they advance from the Baseline, to Do

Not List, and to List.

2

1. GENERAL SARA REQUIREMENTS

Managed by Fisheries and Oceans Canada

1.1. Currently Implemented Measures

The Nechako River and Upper Fraser River White Sturgeon Nationally Significant Populations (NSPs)

are listed under SARA, therefore general SARA requirements apply. Under SARA (S.32), it is prohibited

to kill, harm, harass, capture, take, possess, collect, buy, sell or trade Nechako River and Upper Fraser

River White Sturgeon NSPs. A recovery strategy that identified critical habitat to the extent possible was

published in 2014 and Critical Habitat Protection Orders made under subsections 58(4) and (5) were put

in place in 2016. An action plan is due in 2019 and progress towards recovery strategy and action plan

implementation must be reported every five years.

Funding is available for recovery projects benefiting species at risk listed under SARA. Through this

funding, implementation and stewardship activities have been undertaken for the Nechako River and

Upper Fraser River NSPs including: Nechako River White Sturgeon Recovery Initiative; conservation

aquaculture in Nechako; Emergency Boat Kit Program; research and monitoring on early life stages,

juveniles and adults; and, experimental spawning substrate restoration.

The Middle Fraser River NSP portion of the Upper Fraser River DU is not listed under SARA; therefore,

the general SARA requirements do not apply.

1.2. New Measures under “Do Not List” and “List” Scenarios

ACTIVITY DO NOT LIST (Scenario 1)

LIST (Scenario 2)

(SARA Prohibitions Apply)

SARA General

Prohibitions Not applicable

Nechako and Upper Fraser NSPs delisted:

o SARA prohibitions no longer apply

SARA prohibitions apply

SARA

Recovery

Planning

Not applicable


o SARA recovery planning no longer occurs

A recovery strategy must be developed, identifying

critical habitat

An action plan must follow the recovery strategy

Progress towards recovery strategy and action plan

implementation must be reported every five years

SARA

Implementation

and Stewardship

Not applicable1


o SARA implementation and stewardship no

longer occurs

Federal SARA funding available for recovery

implementation projects benefitting species at risk

Partner with interested First Nations and

organizations on recovery implementation

1 Other sectors, governments and organizations may continue to provide funding for the management and recovery of the species;

however, it will not be eligible for federal SARA funding

3

2. LOSS OF HABITAT QUALITY AND QUANTITY

Managed by Fisheries and Oceans Canada and B.C. Ministry of Forest, Lands, Natural Resource

Operations and Rural Development


The Fisheries Act prohibits serious harm to fish, which is defined as “the death of fish or any permanent

alteration to, or destruction of, fish habitat.” The Act requires that projects avoid causing serious harm to

fish unless authorized by the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Proponents can request DFO

review projects near water to assess if the works, undertakings or activities are likely to cause serious

harm to fish, provide advice to avoid and mitigate effects of activities on fish and fish habitat and, where

appropriate, authorize serious harm to fish. DFO also manages habitat occurrence processes, supports fish

habitat restoration and enhancement programs, and develops regulatory partnerships to support the

management of fish and fish habitat. SARA prohibitions apply to the Nechako River and Upper Fraser

River nationally significant populations and are taken into consideration in regulatory review and

assessment of activities.

The Province of British Columbia develops Best Management Practices where appropriate (in

collaboration with DFO), and regulates: changes in and about a stream, forest and range practices on BC

Crown land, applications for new major mines and major expansion projects, agricultural waste

management, water licences, and release of deleterious substances.


ACTIVITY DO NOT LIST (Scenario 1)

LIST (Scenario 2)


Federal review of

projects near water

Consider designating important White

Sturgeon habitat as Environmentally Sensitive

Areas (ESAs)

Development of species-specific guidance or

BMPs to avoid impacts to habitats (e.g.,

timing windows, dredging guidelines)

Consider SARA requirements in regulatory

review and assessment of activities:

o It is prohibited to kill, harm, harass,

capture, take, possess, collect, buy, sell

or trade a species listed as Endangered

under SARA (s.32)

o It is prohibited to destroy any part of the

critical habitat of a species listed as

Endangered under SARA (s.58)

Development of species-specific guidance or

BMPs to avoid impacts to habitats (e.g.,

timing windows, dredging guidelines)

Critical habitat

protection Repeal Critical Habitat Protection Order for

Nechako and Upper Fraser NSPs

Identify critical habitat in all remaining areas

in a recovery strategy and protect it through a

Critical Habitat Protection Order

Assess whether critical habitat identified for

Nechako and Upper Fraser portions of the DU

should be updated

Restoration activities

and scientific research

related to habitat

Same as baseline

SARA prohibitions and permitting

requirements no longer apply to Nechako and

Upper Fraser portions of the DU

SARA permits (s. 73) may authorize activities

benefiting the species (e.g., restoration,

enhancement, research on habitat) if several

pre-conditions are satisfied

All other activities Same as baseline Same as baseline

4

3. DIRECTED FOOD, SOCIAL AND CEREMONIAL WHITE

STURGEON FISHERY




Directed food, social and ceremonial (FSC) White Sturgeon fisheries are not currently licenced by DFO

or the province of BC. A limited unlicenced fishery is known to occur in the mid Fraser River.


ACTIVITY DO NOT LIST (Scenario 1) LIST (Scenario 2)


Directed food,

social and

ceremonial

White Sturgeon

fishery

Same as baseline in the Fraser River above Williams

Lake and in the Nechako River

Licences for limited FSC harvest of White Sturgeon

would be managed on requests from First Nations

(downstream of Williams Lake)


Same as baseline – not licenced

5

4. BYCATCH OF WHITE STURGEON IN FOOD, SOCIAL AND

CEREMONIAL SALMON FISHERIES



White Sturgeon is bycaught in licenced FSC sockeye, chinook and pink salmon fisheries. White Sturgeon

encounter rate and risk of harm in set nets is higher than in other gear types which include dip nets, beach

seine, snagging, hook and line, and fish wheel within the geographic distribution of the Upper Fraser

River White Sturgeon DU. In the Nechako and Fraser River above Williams Lake, FSC salmon fisheries

have a licence condition to release sturgeon to the water alive and unharmed (non-retention). In the Fraser

River below Williams Lake, FSC salmon fisheries have a licence condition to release non-target species.

FSC salmon fisheries are monitored using census, survey and observer vehicle patrols. C&P spot patrols

occur.

SARA prohibitions currently apply to White Sturgeon in Upper Fraser and Nechako (but not Middle

Fraser) NSPs. To reduce harm to bycaught White Sturgeon, seven First Nations participate in an

Emergency Boat Kit Program in the Nechako and Upper Fraser River NSPs. The Emergency Boat Kit

Program is managed by CSTC and a community bycatch monitor is hired in each of the seven

communities. Tl’azt’en uses data collected from Catch Monitors to make management decisions on how

to reduce White Sturgeon encounters.




Bycatch of

White

Sturgeon in

FSC salmon

fisheries

Increase awareness of White Sturgeon conservation

Nechako and Upper Fraser First Nations may no

longer participate in Emergency Boat Kit Program

due to lack of opportunity for SARA funding

(HSP, AFSAR)

Modify licence condition in Nechako River and

Upper Fraser River fisheries (SARA prohibitions

no longer apply)


Explore issuance of SARA permits or SARA

compliant fishing licences, where appropriate

Collaboratively increase awareness of White

Sturgeon conservation with First Nation

communities

Learn from work done by Nechako White Sturgeon

Recovery Initiative – e.g., implement the

Emergency Boat Kit Program throughout the

Upper Fraser DU

Expand existing catch monitoring programs and

include specific reporting requirements for White

Sturgeon bycatch throughout the DU (funding

dependent)

6

5. BYCATCH OF WHITE STURGEON IN DEMONSTRATION

FISHERIES



Demonstration fisheries are relatively recent (after 2007). They often occur in areas with no White

Sturgeon and typically use selective gear. There is one demonstration fishery in Kamloops Lake using a

purse seine and gill net; one demonstration fishery in Fraser Lake using a seine and an occasional

demonstration fishery in Fraser River near Williams Lake using a fish wheel and dip net. The Fraser

Lake fishery has a licence condition that “it is illegal to kill, harm, harass, capture, take, possess, collect,

buy, sell, or trade Nechako or Upper Fraser White Sturgeon as they are listed as an endangered species

under SARA unless a specific SARA permit or agreement is in place. It is mandatory to release all White

Sturgeon if/when an encounter occurs including any sturgeon that are found dead. All White Sturgeon

encounters in the Nechako and Upper Fraser FSC fisheries are to be accurately reported through catch

monitoring programs.” The other fisheries have a licence condition to release non-target species. All

demonstration fisheries have monitors on site and all landings are reported.




Bycatch of

White

Sturgeon in

Economic

Opportunity/

Demo

fisheries


Modify licence condition (SARA prohibitions no

longer apply)


Explore issuance of SARA permits or SARA

compliant fishing licences, where appropriate


Expand the Emergency Boat Kit Program to all

demonstration fisheries in the Upper Fraser River

DU

Modify licence condition to include SARA

prohibitions for the Middle Fraser portion of the

DU

Once knowledge of important White Sturgeon

habitats improves, fishing plans will be revisited

7

6. RECREATIONAL CATCH AND RELEASE FISHERY TARGETING

WHITE STURGEON (MIDDLE FRASER RIVER)

Managed by B.C. Ministry of Forest, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development


The recreational catch and release fishery for White Sturgeon is closed in the Nechako River and Upper

Fraser River above Williams Lake Creek. In the Middle Fraser River below Williams Lake Creek, a

provincially-managed recreational catch and release fishery for White Sturgeon occurs. Within this area,

seasonal closures occur from September 15 to July 15 in Region 5 above the border with Region 3. A

year-round fishery is largely concentrated in a 10 km area around Lillooet in Region 3. There are 25

guides operating in Region 3; no guiding is permitted in Region 5. The limited spatial distribution of the

fishery and the apparent stable trend in the Middle Fraser River White Sturgeon population would suggest

this fishery is operating within expected limits of fishing sustainability.

The recreational catch and release fishery for White Sturgeon requires a B.C. general fishing license and a

Sturgeon conservation surcharge (1 day, 8 day, annual). An angling guide license is required for guides

and assistants. Regulations require non-retention of White Sturgeon, following handling guidelines, and

use of single barbless hooks. The fishery is monitored through mandatory catch reporting for guides and

assistants, mail-out and electronic angler surveys to sturgeon surcharge purchasers, aerial angler count

and access point angler interviews. The Sturgeon conservation surcharge and other provincial funding

supports the majority of Middle Fraser River monitoring and research including PIT tagging and

population monitoring of White Sturgeon as well as awareness and enhanced fishery implementation and

enforcement.

6.2. New Measures under “Do Not List” and “List” Scenarios ACTIVITY DO NOT LIST (Scenario 1) LIST (Scenario 2)


Region 7 and

Region 5

(upstream of

Williams

Lake Creek)

Same as baseline. Same as baseline.

Region 5

(downstream

of Williams

Lake Creek)

and Region 3

Either no change or possible change to no fishing

between Williams Lake Creek and Hell’s Gate

during spawning and/or overwintering period


Closed

Additional DFO C&P resources required for

patrols and enforcement

8

7. BYCATCH OF WHITE STURGEON IN RECREATIONAL SALMON

FISHERIES



A general fishing license and salmon surcharge are required for recreational salmon fishing. Bycatch of

White Sturgeon is occasional because gear used in recreational salmon fishing is typically not conducive

to catching White Sturgeon. No White Sturgeon may be retained in the recreational fishery.

7.2. New Measures under “Do Not List” and “List” Scenarios ACTIVITY DO NOT LIST (Scenario 1) LIST (Scenario 2)

Bycatch of

White

Sturgeon in

recreational

salmon

fisheries

Increase awareness of White Sturgeon conservation Same as Scenario 1


9

8. BYCATCH OF WHITE STURGEON IN RECREATIONAL RESIDENT

FISH FISHERIES

Managed by B.C. Ministry of Forest, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development


A general fishing license is required for recreational resident fish (freshwater) fishing. Bycatch of White

Sturgeon is occasional because gear used in recreational resident fish fishing is typically not conducive to

catching White Sturgeon. No White Sturgeon may be retained in the recreational fishery.




Bycatch of

White

Sturgeon in

recreational

resident fish

fisheries

Same as baseline SARA prohibitions apply

Same as baseline

10

9. POACHING OF WHITE STURGEON

Responsibility of Fisheries and Oceans Canada and B.C. Ministry of Forest, Lands, Natural Resource



Poaching of White Sturgeon is thought to be rare. All salmon directed sports fisheries are daylight hours

only to reduce poaching. DFO Fisheries Officers (C&P) and BC Conservation Officers (COs) respond to

reports from DFO’s ‘Observe, Record, Report’ hotline or BC’s ‘Report all poachers and polluters’ line.




Illegal fishery

targeting

White

Sturgeon

Increase awareness of White Sturgeon conservation SARA prohibitions apply


Additional C&P resources required for patrols and

enforcement

11

10. SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH ON WHITE STURGEON

Responsibility of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, B.C. Ministry of Forest, Lands, Natural Resource

Operations and Rural Development, and B.C. Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy


Throughout the Upper Fraser River White Sturgeon DU, a provincial fish collection permit is required for

scientific activities. In the Upper Fraser River NSP and Nechako NSP portions of the Upper Fraser River

DU, SARA prohibitions and permitting requirements apply. Ongoing scientific research includes:

Juvenile indexing and monitoring programs to increase understanding of distribution, movement,

survival and behaviours of juvenile White Sturgeon in the Nechako River and Upper Fraser River

Field studies, lab studies and geofluvial modelling leading to experimental spawning substrate

remediation in 2011 and cleaning in 2016 on the Nechako River at Vanderhoof

Spawn monitoring including egg mats and radio and acoustic telemetry to document spawning

activity in the Nechako River spawning reach and to confirm spawning White Sturgeon are using

remediated zones of the reach

Research on larval habitat requirements

Limited adult and juvenile monitoring in the Middle Fraser River to increase understanding of

distribution, movement, survival and behaviours of White Sturgeon, including introgression and

movement of hatchery juveniles both within and outside of the natural range of the Nechako

population




Scientific

research SARA prohibitions and permitting requirements no

longer apply in Nechako and Upper Fraser NSPs

Baseline measures that apply to all areas continue

to apply

Ongoing scientific research may be led by BC

SARA prohibitions and permitting requirements

apply

Baseline measures that apply to all areas continue

to apply

Additional federal funding available for recovery

implementation projects including scientific

research relating to the conservation of the species

12

11. REDUCED OR ALTERED FOOD SUPPLY



Implementation of Canada’s Wild Salmon Policy:

Canada’s Policy for Conservation of Wild Pacific Salmon (WSP) guides the conservation and

management of Pacific salmon with a goal to restore and maintain healthy and diverse salmon

populations and habitat and ecosystem integrity.

Implementation plan including conducting scientific work on identifying, assessing, and monitoring

conservation units in partnership with others is being developed.

Cooperate on management, research and enhancement of Pacific salmon stocks:

U.S. and Canada have joint conservation and harvest sharing agreements (Pacific Salmon Treaty) to

prevent over-fishing and optimize production

Implement Southern Salmon Integrated Fisheries Management Plan:

IFMPs guide and plan sustainable use of marine resources by documenting stock assessment,

scientific research, and management objectives, using a precautionary approach

The Southern Salmon Integrated Fisheries Management Plan guides management of Fraser River and

southern BC salmon stocks. Specifically:

o Section 2 and throughout: provides scientific information for conservation and management

of salmon resources by conservation unit

o Section 5.3.16: guides implementation of the Salmonid Enhancement Program including

operation of hatcheries, fishways, spawning and rearing channels to rebuild or enhance

chinook, sockeye, pink, coho and chum salmon

o Section 6: outlines management objectives for stocks of concern

o Section 13: outlines management plans for each species or stock, including stock assessment

information, allocation plans and harvest levels

Implement the Fishery Monitoring and Catch Reporting (sections 8, 10.1, 11.1, 12.1):

o Guides maintenance of reliable catch data required for the sustainable use of fishery

resources, including catch monitoring and a compliance plan

Implement the Policy for Selective Fishing in Canada’s Pacific Fisheries (section 12.10):

o Guides development of strategies to harvest available abundances of large, healthy stocks

while ensuring conservation of smaller stocks of concern through selective fishing




All activities

Same as baseline Same as baseline

Fish stocks, including those that are food for white sturgeon, are

managed under policies by DFO that take into account the status of the

stock and its role in ecosystem processes. For example, one of the

objectives under the Wild Salmon Policy is to maintain habitat and

ecosystem integrity including food for predators which would be

considered when developing integrated strategic plans for a stock. If a

salmon stock is identified as an attribute of critical habitat (in a

recovery strategy), this would also be considered when developing the

integrated strategic plan.

http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/consultation/wsp-pss/index-eng.html

http://www.psc.org/about-us/history-purpose/pacific-salmon-treaty/

http://waves-vagues.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/Library/40694306.pdf

13

12. HATCHERY AND AQUACULTURE EFFECTS




The Nechako White Sturgeon Conservation Centre was established in 2014 as a short term solution to

address recruitment failure of White Sturgeon in the Nechako River. Pilot hatchery operations were

undertaken prior to the Centre opening. The Centre was built with funding from Rio Tinto Alcan, BC and

others. It is operated by the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC and is under the responsible authorities of

DFO and BC FLNRORD. Hatchery activities following annual Nechako River White Sturgeon Technical

Working Group endorsed plans are exempted by the White Sturgeon recovery strategy (2014) from

SARA general prohibitions as per SARA s. 83(4).

Hatchery supplementation is carefully managed through an adaptive and science-based approach to

ensure hatchery produced White Sturgeon represent the genetic diversity of the Nechako stock and do not

overwhelm the genetics of stocks downstream. Mitigation and management measure include:

Following established fish health, handling, culture and transport guidelines

Maximizing genetic diversity of hatchery fish

Supporting imprinting by locating the Centre at Vanderhoof and using river water from the

spawning reach in Vanderhoof to rear hatchery fish

Marking and tagging all released hatchery fish

Culling of surplus individuals, if required, a routine element of regular hatchery operations for

any species

Providing surplus eggs and larvae for lab and field experiments supporting recovering

Juvenile monitoring

Initiating research on historic distribution and monitoring migration of hatchery-origin

individuals both within and outside of the natural range of the Nechako population

Options for long term spawning habitat restoration and recruitment restoration are being investigated.

Commercial aquaculture of White Sturgeon is considered low risk at this time.




Conservation

aquaculture

for White

Sturgeon

SARA prohibitions and permitting requirements no

longer apply in Nechako and Upper Fraser NSPs

Continued adaptive and science-based approach to

address recruitment failure through hatchery

supplementation and ensure potential impacts are

mitigated

Continued adaptive and science-based approach to

address recruitment failure through hatchery

supplementation and ensure potential impacts are

mitigated

Summary of Species at Risk Act Management Scenarios: Upper ... · Summary of Species at Risk Act Management Scenarios: Upper Fraser River White Sturgeon Designatable Unit Management

Documents